Self-taught
golfer Zhang made
history in 2004 when
he earned an invitation
to play in the US
Masters, making him
the first mainland
Chinese player to
tee up at Augusta
National. The invitation
was accorded to Zhang
after the Chinese
number one enjoyed
a magnificent 2003
season where he won
twice.
He started his 2003
campaign brilliantly
with a one-stroke
victory over South
Africa's "Big
Easy", Ernie
Els in the Caltex
Singapore Masters
where he became the
first Chinese and
only the fifth Asian
to win a European
Tour event.
Later in November,
Zhang fulfilled a
career goal by winning
the China Open in
Shanghai and was edged
into second spot in
the Order of Merit
behind Arjun Atwal
by just US$29,149.
Zhang won the China
Amateur Open three
times before turning
professional in 1994.
Took the Asian Matchplay
title in 1996 but
despite several wins
in non-Tour events,
he did not lift a
strokeplay title until
2001 at the Macau
Open. Successfully
defended his crown
in 2002 when he beat
Zimbabwe’s Nick Price
on the fifth play
off hole. Has wins
over Price and Colin
Montgomerie to his
credit at the Alfred
Dunhill Cup at St
Andrews.
He started his sporting
life as a javelin
thrower before discovering
golf and teaching
himself the game.
Zhang worked as a
caddie master at Zhuhai
Golf Club during his
early years and has
become a great ambassador
for Chinese golf.
Named his first child,
a girl, Apple and
his son in 2004, Tiger. |
Country :
China
